Congratulations Sturm, Ruger & Co. You've reinvented the 20 year-old 3rd Generation S&W Compact 9!


LC9 vs my 3954. Exact same numbers apply to the 3913/3914/3953.

Ruger 6" long. My 3954 7" long. The extra inch is for the longer barrel and the beavertail that keeps my hand from being bit.

Ruger 4-1/2" high. My 3954 4-1/2" high.

Ruger .90" wide. My 3954 .925" at the slide, 1" including the grips.

Ruger 3.12" barrel length. My 3954 3-1/2" barrel.

Ruger 7 + 1 capacity. My 3954 8 + 1 capacity.

Ruger 17.1 oz. My 3954 25.0 oz. Okay it is 1/3rd lighter, meh...

I'm interested in the LC9. I haven't gotten to see one in person yet.

I agree that the 3913/14/3953/54 were the finest compact single stack 9mm's to be made by anyone.

Shame the 3913's maker can't make a better gun than the 3913.

At least Ruger is trying! Regards 18DAI.

Great comparison! Now what about BG380? I'm looking @ the Ruger & S&W !

There is a comparison here:
Genitron.com: Comparing 2 Guns|LC9|Bodyguard 380|

Dave

I'll take the 3rd gen

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

Wow! Great site! Thanks!

Don't forget the 908

How could I?

If I were in the market for a .380, I'd have a Colt Mustang ...er, I mean a Sig P238.

I saw the Ruger about 2 weeks ago, was interested before I saw it, not now. And the reports from buyers are less than stellar.

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Sure you did

How could it be better?

Well the LC9 isn't a 3900 series compact for sure, but then again it's almost half the price of one. It's nice, smooth, well rounded and inexpensive, pretty much what most CCW holders are looking for, now S&W needs to get on the ball and make something inbetween the Bodyguard and the M&Pc.

The only improvements to the 3913 I can see are a melonite finish, a scandium frame and squeeze one more round in the mag. Then it would be PERFECT!! Regards 18DAI.

For quite a few dollars more, I want to handle and look at a Kimber Solo. Anyone have any experience with one?

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Mike in SouthCentral Kentucky

Actually, the little Mustangs are back from Colt this year...

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NRA Certified Instructor

The new unproven LC9 vs the veteran 3913? While I have nothing against Ruger (they make some very nice revolvers and their P series of autos are well proven as being tanks) this is a no-brainer to me, give me the little Smith!
As for a pocket .380, Colt please. Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

I like the feel of the LC9 and seems to be a good gun. But I like my 3913 and Kel-Tec PF9 better.

Seeing that I have a 3953 already, reckon the LC9 would be worth buying? I've kicked the idea around, then I heard last week that Kahr has introduced the CM9, an economy version of the PM9. That Ruger definitely has my interest though. I just think it may be a little big for a nice, flat pocket carry. The Kahr may end up fitting the bill.

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MARK

I have two Ruger LC9's sitting on my desk right now. I can assure you it is noticeably smaller than my former 3953 regardless of the numbers. It's more like a S&W CS9 with Big Dog's grips and more rounded slide, even then is still feels a little smaller and lighter to me. Don't get me wrong, if Smith & Wesson would have come out with a Bodyguard 9mm without the laser or a M&P9C SLIM I would been all over it. But they didn't so I went with the LC9. So far I have 100 rounds down the pipe without a single issue and am growing pretty fond of this little gun. Of course for now it is still in the T&E phase of it's life cycle.

LC9 reminds me of a Kel-Tec PF9 more than anything else.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

mlk18 please advise us how your T&E works out.

Several of us here locally like the dimensions and features of the LC9, we just haven't gotten our hands on one yet to try it.

A few officers locally bought the LCP's as BUGs and have been uniformly pleased with those. The rest of us don't want a 380 - but the 9mm version seems appealing. Thanks! Regards 18DAI

im glad you p[osted the dimensions i too will keep my two 3953 s and my 3913. we here in md cant get the ruger lc 9 s yet

Here is a thumb nail of the LC9 and the CS9.The LC is a bit shorter and thinner.
I have run about 500 rounds through the LC and have had no problems,how ever the double action only trigger is a bit of a hassle after being spoiled by the single action of the CS.
The Ruger feels a bit lighter but not enough to make any real difference.
I have been alternating between carrying the two the past couple of weeks but I will probably end up staying with the Smith,just my personal preference.
Ruger has made a nice,small 9mm though .

Attached Images

Smith & Wesson CS9 & Ruger LC9.jpg (51.5 KB, 765 views)

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JR

My two LC9's showed up last week and I took one out the other day. I bought two of them because I wanted to hand select the one that had the best fit and finish. Both were equally well built so that didn't pay off (which did not upset me). I only took one of the Rugers with me on this outing and I was short on time and short on ammo so I did not put it through its paces, just went through a 100 rounds to see what kind of reliability this particular gun would provide early on. I never attempted to shoot nice tight groups or demonstrate my ability to shoot quickly. I loaded mags, emptied mags, reloaded mags, etc. 100 rounds in about 15 minutes or so. ZERO malfunctions. Sights are still rock solid on the slide. Magazines dropped every time I pushed the button and never dropped when I didn't. Trigger was somewhat long but broke clean and was easily predictable. Perceived recoil and control-ability was equal to or slightly better than my S&W J-frame and much better than my former Keltec PF9. So far, so good. I think I am really going to like this little LC9. I would prefer if it had a front night sight but I am sure that day will come sooner rather than later. I have a couple more cases of 9mm on the way, then we will see what she can really do. I will be sure and post a review with some pics.

"it is noticeably smaller than my former 3953"

Would this 3953 be a little closer to the LC9....